Are you searching for the most affordable online masters degree programs? Then we’ve got what you’re looking for. Our editors have done the research and put together a ranking of the top accredited online universities with the most affordable masters degrees online.
For many of the top online schools, graduate tuition costs vary depending on the particular online graduate degree program. In determining which of the best distance universities to include in our ranking of the most affordable online graduate schools for masters degrees we looked at the per credit tuition costs of the cheapest online masters degree programs offered by each institution. We did our best to include all applicable per credit fees as well.
The colleges and universities with most inexpensive graduate degree programs are as follows:
#1. California Coast University ($230 per credit)
#2. Western Governors University ($241 per credit)
#3. Sullivan University ($283-$375 per credit)
#4. Saint Joseph’s College Online ($315-$475 per credit)
#5. Capella University ($375-$614 per credit)
#6. Baker College Online ($375 per credit)
#7. Walden University ($410-$700 per credit)
#8. American Sentinel University ($420-$450 per credit)
#9. Kaplan University Online ($441 per credit)
#10. Colorado State University Global Campus ($450 per credit)
More information about each school and the online masters degree programs offered can be found below.
#1. California Coast University
A private, non-profit university, California Coast University is headquartered in Santa Ana, CA but does without a traditional campus since all of its degree programs are offered completely online. Founded in 1973, the schools offers a wide selection of online graduate courses and degree programs.
Online Masters Degrees
California Coast University offers the most affordable online masters degree programs we could find, with tuition for all online graduate degree programs set at $230 per credit hour. The university offers masters degrees online in several different fields, including Organizational Management, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, and Business.
Accreditation
California Coast University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
>>Click here to request more information from California Coast University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#2. Western Governors University
A private, non-profit online university, Western Governors University (WGU) currently has campuses in Utah, Indiana, Texas, Washington, and online. WGU was established by 19 Western state governors in 1997 in an attempt to improve access to quality higher education for working people.
Online Masters Degrees
Western Governors University charges a flat tuition rate per term rather than per credit. This means students pay the same amount for a six month term regardless of how many credit hours they take during that term. A standard full-time term is 12 credit hours, which averages out to about $241 per credit for their cheapest online masters degree programs, which include degrees in Education, Teaching, Information Technology, and Business.
Accreditation
Western Governors University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and also nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.
>>Click here to request more information from Western Governors University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#3. Sullivan University
Sullivan University is private, for-profit university based in Louisville, KY. Established in 1962, the Sullivan is the largest private university in the state of Kentucky, with physical campuses in Louisville, Lexington, and Fort Knox, in addition to its online Global e-Learning campus.
Online Masters Degrees
Sullivan University’s Global e-Campus offers several affordable graduate degree programs online, ranging from $283-$375 per credit hour. Sullivan master’s degree programs online include programs in Business, Conflict Management, Human Resources Leadership, Information Technology, and Management.
Accreditation
Sullivan University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Sullivan University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#4. Saint Joseph’s College Online
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is a private, Catholic liberal arts college in Standish, ME. Saint Joseph’s was established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1912, and remains the only Catholic college in the state of Maine. In addition to traditional campus-based programs, the school offers several undergraduate and graduate programs online.
Online Masters Degrees
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine offers several inexpensive online masters degree programs ranging from $315-$475 per credit hour. Among the college’s cheapest masters degrees online are programs in Accounting, Pastoral Theology, Education, and Business.
Accreditation
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
>>Click here to request more information from Saint Joseph’s College Online about their online master’s degree programs<<
#5. Capella University
Capella University is a private, for-profit university in Minneapolis, MN. Established in 1991, Capella primarily serves working adult students and has earned a reputation for academic rigor and exceptional learning outcomes among online universities.
Online Masters Degrees
Capella University offers a number of inexpensive masters degrees online, ranging from $375-$614 per credit hour. Among the cheapest online graduate degrees at Capella are master’s programs in Education, Business, Health Administration, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Project Management.
Accreditation
Capella University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Capella University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#6. Baker College Online
A private, not-for-profit career college with multiple campuses throughout the state of Michigan, Baker College was established in 1965. The school has since grown to become the largest private, non-profit college in Michigan, with over 42,000 students enrolled.
Online Masters Degrees
Baker College Online is one of the cheapest online universities for masters degrees with a flat rate of $375 per credit for all of its online graduate programs. Students can choose from online master’s degree programs in Accounting, Business, Psychology, and Information Systems, among others.
Accreditation
Baker College is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Baker College Online about their online master’s degree programs<<
#7. Walden University
Walden University is a private, for-profit university based in Minneapolis, MN. Walden is a completely virtual university, with all of its degree programs administered online. Established by two teachers in 1970, the school has a reputation for socially progressive values and former president Bill Clinton serves as its Honorary Chancellor.
Online Masters Degrees
Walden University offers many cost effective masters degree programs online, ranging from $410-$700 per credit hour. Affordable online graduate degrees at Walden include online masters programs in Psychology, Criminal Justice, Counseling, Management, Education, and many, many more.
Accreditation
Walden University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Walden University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#8. American Sentinel University
American Sentinel University (ASU) is a private, for-profit university with offices in Denver, CO and Birmingham, AL. Established in 1988, ASU does not maintain a traditional brick-and-mortar campus since all of its degree programs are offered completely online.
Online Masters Degrees
American Sentinel University offers a number of low cost masters degrees online, with tuition ranging from $420-$450 per credit hour. ASU’s most affordable online graduate programs include master’s degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management, and Nursing.
Accreditation
American Sentinel University is nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.
>>Click here to request more information from American Sentinel University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#9. Kaplan University Online
Kaplan University is a private, for-profit university with campuses across the United States and a large online division. Founded as the American Institute of Commerce in 1937, the school was later renamed in honor of Stanley H. Kaplan, founder of the Kaplan Test Prep company.
Online Masters Degrees
Kaplan University Online offers several very inexpensive master’s degrees online at $441 per credit hour. Among the low cost online masters degrees from Kaplan are programs in Teaching, Health Care Administration, Business, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Psychology, and many, many more.
Accreditation
Kaplan University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Kaplan University about their online master’s degree programs<<
#10. Colorado State University Global Campus
Colorado State University Global Campus (CSU Global) is fully online public university and part of the Colorado State University System. Established in 2008, CSU Global focuses on providing degree programs for working adults and other non-traditional students.
Online Masters Degrees
Colorado State University Global Campus offers the cheapest online masters degree programs of any public university on our list, with tuition for all online graduate programs set at $450 per credit hour. CSU Global offers master’s degrees online in Teaching, Organizational Leadership, and Management, with numerous specializations available.
Accreditation
Colorado State University Global Campus is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
>>Click here to request more information from Colorado State University Global Campus about their online master’s degree programs<<
Honorable Mentions
Here are some of the other most affordable online universities for master’s degrees that just missed making it into our top 10.
Liberty University Online
Online master’s degree programs starting at $465 per (full-time) credit hour.
Grand Canyon University
Online master’s degree programs starting at $495 per credit hour.
University of Advancing Technology
Online master’s degree programs with a flat semester rate, estimated at $467 per credit hour at 12 credits per semester.
Saint Leo University
Online master’s degree programs starting at $470 per credit hour.
Oregon State University (OSU Extended Campus)
Online master’s degree programs ranging from $478-$495 per credit hour.
